Treating Osteoporosis Through Pickleball

Slows Age-Related Bone Loss

Pickleball slows age-related bone loss in older individuals and in those with osteoporosis. The bones are living tissues, and they are constantly being regenerated. However, gradual bone loss can begin as early as an individual's thirties, and fifty-five percent of Americans over fifty years old are believed to have either osteoporosis or low bone mass. Bone density can be assessed with scans, and doctors may recommend oral tablets or injections to preserve bone health and prevent additional bone loss. Exercise regimens that include pickleball and similar sports can be a useful supplement to these medications and enable patients to improve their quality of life. Patients at risk of osteoporosis and those who have a family history of this disease may wish to visit their healthcare providers to have a baseline bone scan in their forties. A combination of physical therapy, strength training, and low impact activities may all be used in conjunction with medication to optimize bone health.